Orthographic map of Venezuela centered on Caracas
Controlled territory in dark green.
Claimed territory in light green.
From Wikipedia, Author: Addicted04
The Navy Times reports,
“President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Navy ships are being moved toward Venezuela as his administration beefs up counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean following a U.S. drug indictment against Nicolás Maduro.”
Most of the narcotics trafficking seems to be in the Eastern Pacific rather than the Caribbean. Venezuela’s coasts are on the Caribbean and the Atlantic. Apparently not all the effort will off Venezuela,
“The mission involves sending additional Navy warships, surveillance aircraft and special forces teams to nearly double the U.S. counter-narcotics capacity in the Western Hemisphere, with forces operating both in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Esper said the mission would be supported by 22 partner nations.”
Hope we have enough law enforcement detachments.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
A couple of news stories today that the Pentagon is seriously upset at this.
Certainly wasn’t part of the long term plan. And the LCSs are not ready for this.
They are as ready as they will every be.
The US would be better off with few NSCs and FRCs deployed to the region rather than LCS.
An expanded cutter fleet even at the expense of existing LCS makes sense for this type of operation.
There is a bit more about this from DOD.
https://seapowermagazine.org/navy-coast-guard-to-surge-drug-interdiction-support-to-southcom/
More information here, about what they are actually sending. Three DDGs, an LCS, and a P-8. https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/04/us-navy-needs-frigates-well-balanced-fleet/?fbclid=IwAR0Hk4sXijI3VZIJnFh3HyLTk9vWJiNNLKghgZ-EjTR22GDRMaeXzUkTTdY
“Southern Command eyes Venezuela’s illicit connections and Iranian patronage” https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/southern-command-eyes-venezuelas-illicit-connections-and-iranian-patronage
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